Journalista has been appointed by Dr Foster Intelligence for a media and public affairs brief, ahead of plans to launch a collection of global trusts later this year to raise standards in hospitals.

In the UK, Journalista will target policy makers, ministers and forthcoming GP commissioners. The aim is to forge stronger relationships with the NHS and help hospitals work more closely together in the consultancy stages of policy decisions.

The agency will also run Dr Foster Intelligence’s day-to-day press office.

Journalista founding director Holly Sutton will head up the account and report to Dr Foster Intelligence director of research Roger Taylor.

Sutton said: ‘We will focus on brand awareness, thought leadership and helping Dr Foster Intelligence’s work, such as its "present on admission" campaign.’

Journalista will lobby for change by referring to Dr Foster Intelligence reports. Dr Foster research released last autumn found patients admitted for emergency treatment over weekends were nearly ten per cent more likely to die than those admitted during the week.

In addition, Dr Foster’s recent ‘present on admission’ campaign gave a picture of the care patients received before and after they were treated at a hospital.

Dr Foster also produces the annual Good Hospital Guide, which helps hospitals benchmark and monitor their performance with the aim of improving quality and efficiency.